Tank for transporting viscous liquids



Dec. 4, 1956 Filed Dec. 50,'1952 J.F.CYPHERS ETAL TANK FOR TRANSPORTING VISCOUS LIQUIDS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 MTORNEX@- Dec. 4, 1956 u. F. cYPHERs ET AL 2,772,784

TANK FOR TRANSPORTING VISCOUS LIQUIDS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 50, 1952 Dec. 4, 1956 Filed Dec. 30, 1952 J. F. CYPHERS ET AL TANK FOR TRANSPORTING VISCOUS 'LIQUIDS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORJ James E Cl/,OI-ezmv g2) a0 alzcis C. DQ/zery ABY n Cav/mmv, /ma/m/ 90m A ATTORNEYS' Dec. 4, 1956 J. F. cYPHERs ET AL 2,772,784

TANK FOR TRANSPORTING vlscous LIQUIDs Filed Dec. 30, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 QH iO N INVENTORS 3*@ 2 y James ECyp/zenr Fra/20115' C. Doherty (Zzwuwuxnuawbvaz/ y ATroRNEw1 United States Patent -O ZTANK FOR TRANSPORTING VISCOUS LIQUIDS James F. Cyphers, Milton, and Francis C. Doherty,

`Jamaica Plain, Mass., assgnors tov General Foods Corporation, New Y rkN. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application December 30,1952, Serial No.'328,782

15 Claims. (Cl. 2ML-206) This invention relates to the -bulk transportation of viscous and especially ofcongealable materials such as liquid chocolate compositions, and more particularly to improved mobile tanks or containers forhandling and transporting such materials.

t-'By way of-illustration, the invention will be described hereinafter with reference to the transportation of liquid chocolate materials such as chocolate'liquor, chocolate coating compositions Whichusually-comprise chocolate, cocoabutter, and sugar with or without milk solids, and the like. After the usual grinding and finishing opera- 'tionsain the chocolate'plant, such compositions-are warm and'contain -enough melted fatto form rather viscous but flowable liquids. Heretofore the general practiceehas -been-to pour such liquid compositions into forms or 'molds-and'toallow'them' to cool and'form solid blocks -for `transportation-to and Ydelivery at the confectioners plant. *Before the composition can be used in coating or vmolding operations, these'blocks must be heated to re- Y meltthe chocolate composition and to restore it to liquid form.

It has been proposed heretofore to transport such chocolate'compositions from the chocolate manufacturers plant to-*the confectioners plant in bulk liquid form. It has been recognized that this procedure would result in sub- :stantial'savings in transportation and vhandling costs and in time and labor, would eliminate the costof breaking fand remelting the chocolate by the user, and would facilijtatethe Ahandling and distribution of the chocolate and improved sanitation. In spite of such manifest potential benefits, however,other factors have militated against 'the useof liquid handling so that the practicebriefly loutlinedabove is still in general use. ,'One of these factors vhas been lthe lack of tank trucks and railway tank cars which are capable ,of handling materials of the type in question satisfactorily. f

'1 One of the objects of the present invention is to pro- 'vide an improved tank runit which maybe used yas a tank truck or trailer. or as a railway tank car and which 'is gparticularly adapted to the transportation of liquid chocfolate and materials of similar. characteristics.

'The chocolate or other materialin the tankv must be :at the temperature necessaryfor owability in order to remove it` from .the tank; even then, and yinrspite of the use'of positive displacement -feed pumps, relatively large` -amounts of the-viscous material remainl on the--wallsof the tank. Such diiiiculties are greatly magnifediwhen-the fambient temperature is low, as in winterweather, `Thus it is another-object of the invention to provideatank runit of the above typehaving improvedzmeans'for empty- .Zing the viscous material therefrom, and for counteracting difficulties in this respect that arisepunder unusually low :ambient temperatures.

A. further object is :to provide an ,improved tankunit gparticular'ly adaptedfor the abovementioned purposes ;and having novel means' for .warming 'the ymaterial ,in

the tank to decrease its viscosity and if necessary taconvert it from solid to liquid form.

Astillfurther object is `to provide an improved tank unit particularly adapted for the above mentioned -purposes and having novel means for wiping ladhering material from the interior walls ofthetank and discharging it through lthe normal tank outlet.

In practice, tank units embodying the inventionvare preferably cylindrical in shape Aand are mounted on any desired type of mobile frame such asa truck-or truck trailer chassis or a'lrailway car underframe. YIt-will"-be understood that theA term tank unit includes -not-on1y relatively large singleitanks but also'tanks dividedby ,suitable walls or bulkheads into a number of compartments-each of whichis -a separate tank unit. VVEachtank unit is jacketed and-provided With-means Aforcontrolling ow of -a'temperature-regulating'fluid such as warm-water through the-jacket space, and preferably is-surrounded by .suitable insulating ymaterial to minimize cooling of the chocolate liquor -as far laspracticable. Y

Each tank unit is also provided with one or more drain outlets,l tovwhich'displacement pumps are connected when the tank unit isv to -be emptied, and with one yor "more clean-out devices of the wiper or squeegee type movable axially or. longitudinally in theV tank vunit to clean adhering material from its walls and to advance suchmaterial towardl the desired outlet. YWhenthe outllet is'at one end of the tank unit, for example, a single clean-out device movablefthe entire length of the'ta'nk llnitis usually-sufficient. Incasepthe outlet is intermedi- `atethe ends-of the-tank unit, it maylbe desired to use a plurality ofcleari-out devices movable either individually or jointly in opposite -directions toward said outlet. Other arrangements may --be preferred under special conditions.

Several-embodiments -ofthe yinvention 'have been illuse trated in the accompanying drawings, Abutit is ktogbe understood 4that said'drawings Vare forrpurposes of'illustration only andare -notto be construed ,as a definition of 'thelimits of the invention, reference being had to the appended claims for kvthis: purpose.

In thedrawings, Fig. 1y is a side'view, partly in section, of a jaeketed and insulated tank unit for handling liquid Achocolate and like materials which embodies certain fea- Yturesaot Vthe invention as described below;

`-'Figs.` 2 and l3 are respectively left and right end views 'andi-Fig. J4 yis a partialplankview of the tank shown in tfFig. 1;

v1Fig.5 is an'enlarged sectional view on the line S-.S of Fign2, Vand Fig. 6 is atpartial end view of Fig.V 5;

iFig.' 7fis a diagram illustrating a suitable path oflflow of a temperature lregulating liquid lthrough the jacket of thetank; Y p fFigg-Sisa section on vthe liney 8-.8 yof Fig. l;

'Figs-9 and l0 illustrate one form of clean-out device usable-with the tank shown in Figs. 1-8, these figures Vbeing sections on the lines'9-9 of Fig. l0 and l*lll-10 of Fig; 9A respectively;

Pigs. -11 and l2 are details taken on the lines '1'1-1'1 arid112-1-2 ofiFig. 10, respectively;

Eig. 13 is an enlarged section on the line'13-13 of '-Fig.- 9 with the addition of suitable lactuating means for the-clean-out device; f

fFigs. 14 an`d15 vare sectional views of the left and rightends respectively of a tank similar to that shown in Figs l-S but equipped with a different type `of clean-out device;

; Fig. l6-is a sectional view on the line 16-16 of Fig. 14;

:'Fig.- 17 is a longitudinal section through a similar tank embodying another 'type of clean-out device, the section being taken on theline 17-'17of Fig. 18;

#Fig l8ista section-on-'theline IS-ISofFig. 17;

Figs. 19, 20 and 21 are details of parts of the actuating means and the clean-out device of Figs. 17 and 18; and

Fig.v 22 is a sectional detail 'showing another form of actuating means.

In practice, tank units embodying the invention will usually be of cylindrical shape mounted in horizontal positions on a mobile chassis such as a truck trailer or railway car chassis, and will have concentric double walls to provide between them the jacket space mentioned above. By Way of example, Fig. 1 shows a single large tank 1 mounted on a truck trailer chassis, having side frame members 2 and mounted on wheels 3. At suitable points in their length, the side frame members 2 are provided with cradle-like supports 4, the tank 1 resti-ng therein and being anchored by means of straps 5 surrounding the tank and having their ends connected with the supports 4 by means such as the bolts 6. End abutments 7 prevent endwise movement of the tank on the chassis. It will be understood that such details of mounting the tank unit on the mobile chassis form no part of the present invention and are shown merely by way of illustration of a practical embodiment of the invention.

v The tank itself comprises an inner cylindrical shell 8, preferably of metal, and a concentric surrounding outer shell 9 also of metal, the space 10 between these shells forming a warming jacket as herei-nafter described. Suitable insulation 11, such as spun glass, surrounds the outer shell 9 and is contained within a suitable casing 12. At points where the load of the tank is supported on the chassis, the spun glass 11 may be replaced by other insulating material of greater structural strength such as structural cork inserts 13 (Figs. 1 and 8), these being located and coniined between metal ribs 14 secured to the outer shell 9. Similarly structural cork rings 15 extend around the shell 9 and replace the spun glass 11 at points where the tank is surrounded and anchored by the straps 5, `the rings 15 being held in place by metal ribs 16 similar to the ribs 14 mentioned above. At some suitable point, preferably at its top, the tank is provided with a manhole 17 which is normally closed by a cover 18 suitably pivoted on the tank as at 19 and suitably secured in closed position as by means of a locking bolt 20. This manhole may be used for access to the interior of the tank whenever necessary, as well as for filling the tank with the desired material such as liquid chocolate. A tank outlet 21 is located at the bottom of the tank, preferably at one end although as previously stated it may be at the center of the tank if desired. Other openings in the tank walls may be provided wherever desired, as for example a thermometer socket 22 and a tubular neck 23 for the actuating means hereinafter described.

The jacket space between the inner and outer shells 8, 9 is preferably provided with suitable partitions or battles to direct the flow of the temperature regulating fluid and to distribute it more or less uniformly over the entire surface of the tank. The spaced concentric relationship between the inner and outer shells may be maintained by spacing strips or dividers interposed between and secured to the two shells, a number of such dividers being indicated at 24 in Fig. 8. If desired, such dividers may also serve as bafes to control the circulation of the temperaturev regulating fluid, as in the case of the bottom strip 24. ln most cases, however,'it will be desirable to employ additional partitions or baffles to obtain greater distribution of flow throughout the jacket space, and these may serve only as baffles and need not carry any load. ln the form shown, a number of additional partitions 25 extend longitudinally in the cylindrical jacket space 10; also circumferential partitions 26 separate the two end jacket spaces 27 from the cylindrical portion and partitions 28 (Fig-2) and 29 (Fig. 3) extend horizontally in these end jackets.

The battles can of course be variously arranged to suit (lil particular conditions and one such arrangement is illustrated in Figs. 2, 3 and 7. For better heat control, the end jackets 27 are handled separately and the cylindrical jacket 10 is divided into two separate halves. For convenience all inlet yand outlet connections for these four jacket spaces are preferably located at one end of the tank. Circulation to the remote right-hand end jacket 27 may be effected by making the bottom strip 24, and the adjacent partition 25 on the right as seen in Fig. 2, extend continuously between the circumferential partitions 26 to provide a longitudi-nal passage 30. Similarly the top partition 25, and the adjacent partition 25 on its right as seen in Fig. 3, provide a passage 31 extending from the right end jacket 27 back to the left end of the tank.

1ct water is admitted through the inlet 32 to one side of the cylindrical jacket 10. As shown in Fig. 7, alternate partitions 25 of this side are cut short at opposite ends; accordingly the Water follows a serpentine path throughout this half of the cylindrical jacket space as indicated by the arrows and escapes through a top outlet 33. A similar arrangement is employed for the other half of the cylindrical jacket space into which the hot water enters through an inlet 34 and from which it escapes through an outlet 35. Hot water also circulates through the jacket space 27 at the left-hand end of the tank, entering through an inlet 36, following a serpentine path between bales 28, and escaping from an outlet 37. The other end jacket space is supplied with hot Water through an inlet 38 to the passage 30, the water -owing through said jacket in a serpentine path between the bailles 29 and then back through the passage 31 to the left-hand end `of the tank where it escapes through an outlet 39.

When the tank 1 described above is illed with liquid chocolate, for example, and then moved from the chocolate manufacturers plant to the plant of the confectioner or other user, the material may or may not congeal in the tank depending upon the Weather conditions `and the length of the haul. Upon arrival at destination, the condition of the material can be checked to determine whether or not it is too viscous for removal without rst being warmed by means of the jackets described above. In case warming is necessary, a temperature regulating uid such as `hot Water is circulated through the jackets, its temperature depending upon the nature of the material. In the case of chocolate, the Water temperature should not exceed about F. in order to avoid danger of gelation.

The material is emptied from the tank through the outlet 21 at the bottom as described above. While drainage will take place by gravity, ordinarily this will be too slow for practical purposes; furthermore if the material is viscous, unduly large amounts will remain in the tank in the absence of special clean-out means. Accordingly it will usually be desirable to employ a displacement pump of any suitable type which may be connected to the outlet 21. Such pumps can be provided at the destination for emptying the material from the tank and handling it in the plant. If desired, a suitable pump can be mounted on. the mobile chassis with the tank.

When the warming liquid is circulated through the jacket, warming and consequent decrease of viscosity of the material takes place first in the outer layers of the cylindrical body of material in the tank. These outer layers drain'or are pumped out of the outlet 21 while the central more viscous core of material tends to settle toward the bottom, remaining so to speak immersed or partially immersed in the less viscous material through which heat is transferred to continue the warming until the tank has been emptied. As stated above, however, a considerable amount of such material tends to remain on the walls of the tank, and in spitek of the application of pump suction to the outlet 2l, the amount of chocolate remaining on the inside surfaces of a 10,000 gallon tank may .amount to ras lmuch as y15.00 rpounds. :Unless -this adhering'fmaterialcan-she: removed, :.the;loss' will :be jsubstantiakandffurthermore the .tank-:cansonlybe used for repeated 'hauling of the same-material in order to avoid mixingandI dilution.

In .ordertto avoid the rabove disadvantages, and also to 'facilitatergravity drainage :in case f pumpsizare .notr available, it; isimportant to employisuit-ble :clean-,outzdevices such as;thosernow t,orbe.described. These-are mountedgin tanks of-essentially the `same .Construct-ion as ithatshown in Eig.,1.and takethefformof a; circular wiper or squeegee which extends around jandengages the :entire inner cylindrical ,surface of the tank. .By 4movi'ngsuch Va -squeegee longitudinally, therefore, materialzadhering to fthe .cylindricabwallcan :be cleaned oil. @Obviouslythere will be aeconsiderable accumulationof suchmaterialin the bottom of the tank, and in order to move it longitudinally towardthe location of thetank outlet, suitable one-way :gates :aretprovided inthe lower part of the device which function in the mannerof check valves. Thus operation .ofrtheclean-out device wipes'the interior clean of adhering material and moves `it to the tank outlet.

Onerembodiment of such a clean-out device is shown inj'Figs.-&9-.l3 .in a'tank unit yof the typealready described, .with the -addition of an insulated plug '4lclosing the tubular neck 23. A central spindle 41'isgprovided with aplurality of radial -spokes 42, and secured to the ends ofthese spokes is a'at ring 43 thelower-pait of which is-substantiallyfwider than the upper part as indicated at -44'to,provide a sort of transverse dam across the bottom of the tank. Surrounding the circular periphery of the ring'43f44 is a wiper ringiS of suitable 'exible material such as f'neoprene whichis held in place 'by a locking ring 46 connectedto thering 43, 44fby suitable means such-as screws 47. This clean-out device is normally positioned at the endV of the tank remote from ythe outlet .21, Ythe .spindle 43'! thereofpassingoutwardly-through a .suitable seal and into the'necleZS. -As shown invFig. 13, for example, the inner shell 8 of the tank is .provided with an opening reinforced by a ring-'d3 `to-which agland member 49 is secured by means. of bolts Sti. .Packing 51 inside the gland 49 is maintained in tightengag'ement with the spindle lby means of a .second gland memberSZ .adjusted by means of be-lts.53these parts forming. apacking' glandot' well knownftype. When the tank unit is in .transit7 the end of the `spindle 41 is secured to a vremovable retainingbracket-S (Eig. 9) bysuitable means .such as .a bolt 55 so. that the yclean-out device. is maintained inthe vextreme left-hand' end of the tank.

Since substafntialamounts of materialmay adhereto the end walls of thetank as wellfas to its cylindrical walls, provision'may beine-.de for rotating theclean-.cutnevice and it may beprovided with a wiper or 'wipers adapted 4to clean one or both of theen'dwalls. In theform shown in Pigs. 9&3, vsuch end w-ipersare combined with and form parts of one or moreof the spokes 42. As shown inFigll, one of said spokes has'aloft-hand` edge shaped tocorrespcnd Awith the Vleft end wall ,of the tank and carries a iiexible wiper 55 held in place by suitablemeans sueltas .a retaining strip ,57 and sere-ws SS. As shown in Fig. 12, a wiper for the right end of the tank is mounted ,cna differentspoke d which is extended beyond the end ofthe. spindle at 59. ,and basa rig` l 1thandv edge `shaped to confornrto the nrightend wall o'ffthetank.Vv This edge .carries ,a exible .wiper Y60 held implace by a retaining strip A.61.and screw, 62. p j Y Y *"The diaphragm'section `or fdain'ftfi of the clean-.out

device isgprovided'withlone-wayv gates orcheckvalves intheform of apair of pivoted Vgates or doors-63 vhinged atfdto saiddiaphragrn. section .44, thehinges being arranged so as to permit the gatesftoswiug open when the cleanoutdevice nieves -away 'i`rom the outlet 21 or to the left, ybutto holdsaid gatesA against opening when the cleanout devicemoves-intheOPPOsite direction. `The lower, .edgesoffthese gates preferably form a substantial 6 portion ofthe lower-edge Aofthe cleanout ldevice and ycarry sections of'the wiper 45.

Any suitable type of .actuating-means .ca-n be provided for moving the clean-out 'device longitudinally in; the tank, and for rotating the cleanout device whendesired'to clean the ends of the tank. In the form;shown.in Figs.-9l3, theseoperations are accomplishedby manually operable meansin the form of a rod detachably connected tothe end of the spindle 41 and lformingan extension-thereof outside the tank. Fig. l3 shows :by Away of example -a suitable type of detachable connection betweenxthe spindle and the push rod. The end of the spindle is reducedin diameter at` to receive the tubular end of a'push rod 66, 'and a transverse vdiametrical `pin 67 protrudes Yon opposite sides of the reduced end of the spindle and-engages in open-ended slots 68 in the endof the pushrod. The pin 67 doesV not protrude beyond the outer .surface of the push rod, which 'has the same diameter. asthe spindie in order that both may slide.. through -the packing gland. The connection thus ,far .describedv permits the rotation of the clean-out device by thepushfrod, as well as its longitudinal movement to the night toward theoutlet 2i. In Yorder yto` lock the push rod and-.spindle together forretraction ofthe clean-out device in theopposite direction, suitable depressible.lockingelements can .be provided. in the end of thefspindlewhich springout into openings in the end ofthe push rod'after `it hasbeen placed on the spindle. As shown, 4two -suchelements69 are provided on opposite sides of the:spindle,:these elements being'slidable radially in suitable recesses '7.0` inthe spindle and being urged outwardlyybysprings 71 intovopenings Y 7,2 in the pushrod wall. Stopfplates 73.secured .to the spindleby screws yVliserve to limit'the movementofthe elements 69 `so that.they ,do notprotrude-beyondrthe cylindrical outer .surfaceof 'thepush rod` and spindle.

.In some cases it.may.be .preferred..to providepower yoperated Ymeans associated with ythe tank s itself for actuating the clean-outv device .and ,one Ytype :of .such vactuating means is shown in.-Figs. 1.4-1.6. kInithis case theclean-outdevice 4itself. isgenerally similar .to that previously described. in connectionwith Figs: 9-13,.:but.its central spindle 75 is boredvand threaded for mounting onta screw shaft 76..extending longitudinallythroughout the entire length of thetank. Also this` clean-out device .is non-rotatable by virtue of a suitableJsplinevtype.connection with the tank, for example, a. notch 77 isformed in theperiphery of the clean-outdeviceatthe bottom l ofthetank, this notch fitting over.l and slidingon a rail '78 secured to the inner surface ,of-thetank One end ofl the -screw shaft is -mountedin .a Isuitable .bearing I9 secured-to the right end wall. of. the tank. T he otherend of the shaft passes through a.suitablerpacking:gland80 similar to that described above vand ,projects into .the neck-23 where itfis supported vl:}ya bearing 81. ,The end of theshaft is coupledatSZ with...an electricmotor 83 mounted on suitable supporting .structure 84.on.the end of the tank. Thus thescrew shaft can beirotated bythe motor in `either direction-.to `cause longitudinal movement of the clean-out device. p

V Since the clean-out device of Figs. 14,16..does not rotate,.-additional means must be ,provided to wipethe end Walls ofthe Ytank if desired. By-.way ofexample, -Fig.. l5 .shows such..a meansfor .wiping the..right y.end

wall of the tank, and it Will.be understood that, similar means can be lprovidedat the left end ifdesired. lAs shown,a hub 85 issplined totheend of the screwrshaft 76,- said. hub carrying` a.radial -arm y8,6 on which is mounted a wiper 87held inplace byta retaining s't'rip88 as described above. It will be seen, therefore, that Tthe rotation of the screw shaft is always accompanied'by rotation of this end wiper.

-For many purposes it is preferred to employ aclean out device having-actuating means which are substantially. allenclosed within the tank, in order to avoidfthe connection with Figs. 9-13, or a screw shaft suc-h as described in connection with Figs. 14-16. In this Way the neck 23 can be omitted so that no additional clearance is required at the ends of the tank, the possibility of chocolate leakage can be eliminated, and heat leakage can be reduced; also the problem of supporting long shafts is avoided. Figs. 17-21 show apparatus of this type. The tank itself is of the same construction as that described above, except for the omission of the neck 23. The clean-out device is also similar to those described above, except that for greater strength it cornprises a ring-like angle 90 forming the inner frame of the device. Doors 91 are hinged to and depend from the bottom of the ring 90, formingl the equivalent of the dam 44 and check valves or gates 63 described above. The circularVouter periphery of the clean-out device, fonned partly by the ring 90 and partly by the edges of the doors 91, carries the usual exible wiper which has already been described.

In the form shown, only longitudinal movement of the clean-out device is provided, although additional provision can be made for wiping the tank ends if desired. Rotation of the clean-out device is prevented by fingers 92 or the like which project from the ring 90 and slide on lrails 93 secured to and extending longitudinally in the tank. Longitudinal movement of the clean-out device is effected by a suitable parallel motion type of actuating means, preferably of the type shown in Fig. 17, which can be operated from outside the tank.

Referring to Figs. 17 and 18, an actuating pulley 94 is mounted in a bearing spindle 95 secured to and extending through the wall of the tank, preferably at the top near one end. Inside the ring 90 of the clean-out device at diametrically opposed points are pairs of pulleys 96 and 97 mounted respectively in brackets 98 and 99 secured to the ring 90. The diameter between the upper and lower pulleys is preferably at an angle to the vertical to avoid obstructing the manhole.

A cable or chain 100 is connected to the ring 90 at 101, extending therefrom around the drive pulley 94 and thence back to and over one of the pulleys 96 as shown at 102. A chain reach 103 extends downwardly from the pulley 96 and around a lower pulley 97. The reach 104 of the chain then extends to the opposite end of the tank where it passes around a pulley 105 mounted in bracketsl06 secured to the tank end wall, and the reach 107 then extends back to the clean-out device, being preferably attached to the ring 90 at 10S. A chain reach 109 extends from the point V103 to the left end of the tank where it passes around a pulley 110 mounted in brackets 111 on the end wall of the tank; a reach 112 returns therefrom to a lower pulley 97 of the clean-out device, from which a reach 113 passes upwardly to and around an upper pulley 96 and continues at 114 to the right end of the tank where it passes around a pulley 11S mounted in brackets 116 and returns at 117 to the cleanout devie to which it is connected at 118.

The operation of this parallel motion system will be obvious to those skilled in the art. Rotation of the clean-out device in the tank is prevented by the rails 93, and movement of the chain or cable systernby actuation of the driving pulley 94 lor otherwise causes-the diametrically opposite points at the top and bottom of the clean-out device to move exactly equal amounts in the same direction so that the cleanout device always occupies a vertical position. Ity can be moved longitudinally of the tank in either direction as desired. The only external connection is for the driving pulley, which is located at the top of the tank where there is no leakage problem.

Any suitable means can be provided for actuating the clean-out device from outside the tank and Figs. 1920 illustrate a driving means adapted for operation by a portable electric motor such as an electric drill or equivalent device. "Fhe shaft 119 of the pulley 94 projects through the tank wall into a small casing 120 enclosed in the tankl insulation 11 and carriesa Worm wheel 121 meshing with a worm 122 on a short shaft 123. Bearings 124 and 125 support this shaft and worm in the casing 120, and the end of the shaft projects outwardly from the casing and carries a clutch jaw 126 or the like accessible from outside the tank. Thus the actuating mechanism :of the clean-out device can be operated by an electric drill or equivalent device having a clutch jaw 127 to engage theV jaw 126. In case additional operating power is desired, a second shaft 128 can be mounted in the casing 120 and geared at'129 to the shaft 123 for simultaneous rotation, the second shaft 128 terminating in a clutch jaw 130 similar to the clutch jaw 126 mentioned above. Preferably the clutch jaws 126 and 130 are located in a recess 131 in the outside of the tank casing.

Fig. 22 shows another form of actuating means for the clean-out device of Figs. 17 and 18, the tank unit in this case carrying its own source of power in the form of a suitable electric motor 132 which is connected through suitable gearing to the drive shaft of the chain-driving pulley inside the tank. As shown, the motor shaft is connected through a suitable gear reduction box 133 with a shaft 134 which extends into a recess or compartment 135 in the insulation of the tank and carries a small pinion 136 meshing with a larger pinion 137 therein. The shaft 138 of said pinion extends through a bearing 139 into the tank for the purpose of carrying and operating a drive pulley (not shown) similar to the pulley 94 described above.

It will be understood that the invention is not restricted to the examples set forth above, nor to the details of the foregoing description, and that various changes can be made in the form, details of construction, and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit of the invention. Reference should therefore be had to the appended claims for a definition of the limits of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. In a portable substantially cylindrical tank unit having a bottom outlet, cleanout means inside the tank including ring-like wiper means movable axially therein for cleaning the cylindrical interior wall of the tank and wiper means rotatable in engagement with an end wall of said tank, and operating means outside of said tank having driving connections to said cleanout means therein.

2. In a portable horizontally disposed substantially cylindrical tank having a bottom outlet, means for cleaning material from the interior wall of said tank comprising a ring-like wiper movable axially within the tank in wiping engagement with its interior wall, operating means outside the tank andV-drivingly connected with said wiper, said wiper having an opening therethrough, and check valve means for closing said opening when said wiper moves towar-d said outlet, said check valve means opening when said wiper moves in the opposite direction.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2, said wiper comprising an open ring having a bottom segment formed by a transverse diaphragm, said opening being formed in said diaphragm. Y

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 2, said driving connection including a push rod connected centrally to said wiperrand projecting through one end of the tank.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 including means inside said tank engaging said wiper for non-rotatable longitudinal movement relative thereto.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 5, said driving connections including a rotatable shaft extending axially through the tank `an-d on which said wiper is mounted with threaded engagement.

7. A wheeled substantially cylindrical and horizontally disposed tank unit for the transportation of viscous liquids, said unit comprising a bottom outlet near one end of the tank, a ring-like wiper movable longitudinally inside the tank in wiping engagement with its inner wall, said wiper having a radial spoke carrying a wiper blade shaped to engage and wipe an end of the tank on rotation of said wiper, a stub shaft connected centrally to said wiper and projecting through the other end of the tank, said stub shaft being adapted for connection at its end to an operating rod whereby said wiper can be moved longitudinally and rotated in the tank as aforesaid.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 7, said wiper cornprising radial spokes one of which carries a wiper blade shaped to engage and Wipe one end of said tank and another of which carries a wiper blade shaped to engage and wipe the other end of said tank.

9. Apparatus as dened in claim 8, said ring-like wiper comprising a bottom segmental diaphragm having an opening therethrough, and check valve means arranged to close said opening when said wiper moves toward said outlet.

10. A wheeled substantially cylindrical and horizontally disposed tank unit for the transportation of viscous liquids, said unit comprising a bottom outlet near one end of the tank, a ring-like wiper movable longitudinally inside the tank in wiping engagement with its inner wall, means in said tank engaging said Wiper for non-rotatable longitudinal movement relative thereto, a shaft extending axially in the tank and having a threaded connection with said wiper, wiper means rotatable by said shaft in engagement with an end wall of said tank, and operating means outside the tank for rotating said shaft.

11. Apparatus as defined in claim 10, together with a wiper blade extending radially from one end of the shaft and secured thereto for rotation therewith, said blade being shaped to engage and wipe the adjacent end of the tank.

12. Apparatus as dened in claim 10, said means en gaging the Wiper including a rail projecting from the interior wall of the tank and extending longitudinally,

10 part of said wiper having sliding engagement with said rail.

13. Apparatus as dened in claim 12, said ring-like wiper having a bottom segmental diaphragm with an opening therethrough and provided with check valve means for closing said opening as said wiper moves toward said outlet.

14. In a substantially cylindrical and horizontally disposed tank unit for the transportation of viscous liquids having a bottom outlet, a ring-like wiper movable longitudinally inside the tank in wiping engagement with its inner wall, means in said tank engaging said wiper for nonrotatable longitudinal movement relative thereto, a flexible, chain-like means connected to said wiper and passing around sheave means mounted inside the tank to cause longitudinal travel of said Wiper, check valve means for an opening in said wiper adapted to close when said wiper moves toward said outlet and to open when said wiper moves in the opposite direction, and operating means outside said tank having driving connections with said ilexible means,

15. Apparatus as defined in claim 14, said flexible means connected to said wiper at peripherally spaced points for moving it the same axial distance at each said point, thereby maintaining parallelism between successive wiper positions.

References Cited in theV tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,285,086 Falkinburg Nov. 19, 1918 1,381,269 Bausman June 14, 1921 2,129,091 Jacobson Sept. 6, 1938 2,191,344 Erikson et al Feb. 20, 1940 2,195,344 Slaugenhop Mar. 26, 1940 FOREIGN PATENTS 554,773 Great Britain July 17, 1943 

